Representative Transactions

Growth Equity Investment in Fast-Casual Restaurant Business

Kegler Brown represented PIADA Italian Street Food, an authentic fast-casual Italian eatery based in Columbus, Ohio, with restaurants in Ohio and Indiana, in connection with a significant growth equity investment made by Catterton Partners, the leading consumer-focused private equity firm. Terms of the September 2013 transaction were not disclosed. At the time of the investment, PIADA had 14 locations across the Midwest, with 6 planned to open by the end of 2013. In 2013, PIADA was named one of Nation’s Restaurant News’ five “Hot Concepts” as well as one of Nation’s Restaurant news’ top 50 breakout trends.

Leveraged Debt and Equity Recapitalization

In August 2011, the attorneys at Kegler Brown represented a leading digital marketing agency in its sale of a minority equity interest to a Boston-based private equity firm and a related, leveraged debt recapitalization.

Capital Raise and Corporate Structuring for Fast Casual Startup

In September 2010, attorneys at Kegler Brown advised The Piada Group in its formation and capital raise, and continue to work with The Piada Group on corporate structuring and related matters. The Piada Group operates fast casual Italian restaurants under the PIADA Italian Street Food brand. Learn more about our partnership with Piada.

Creation of Unique Rail and Truck Intermodal Facility

Our firm acted as counsel to the owner of a large industrial park in a series of unique transactions that created one of the first-ever non-railroad-owned intermodal facilities in the country, bringing together a mainline railroad, a national trucking carrier and the owner of the intermodal park. In a further attempt to increase rail traffic to the intermodal facility, our client entered into an agreement with the railroad to help finance the construction of a railroad turn-out 60 miles from the facility, which would allow unit trains that normally move north-south to move east-west to the client’s facility. Both projects involved the negotiation of novel agreements between the parties, as well as the attainment of state grants and low-interest loans to fund the projects. Kegler Brown was integral to the creation of the business strategy, as well as the many transactional documents required to complete the project.

Creation of Dual-Rail Industrial Park

The lawyers at Kegler Brown acted as counsel to a community-based private non-profit economic development organization to acquire land through a state grant for the purpose of creating an industrial park that could be served by two competing railroads. Since the land located in the “dual-rail park” could be served by either railroad, it gave industries locating there a competitive edge when negotiating for rail transportation. In addition, because the land was acquired by a state grant, the land was offered at attractive prices (or even free) to prospective companies as an incentive to locate in the community. As a result, the community was able to attract several new companies that served the just-in-time needs of the automotive industry and created hundreds of jobs in the process.

Strategic Acquisition of New York Advertising Agency

Kegler Brown represented Resource Ventures, Ltd. (d/b/a Resource) in the acquisition of Ammirati, a New York-based advertising agency. Resource is a digital marketing agency based in Columbus, Ohio. Ammirati, which was founded in 2002, most recently worked with Jerry Seinfeld on the web series "Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee," and launched a new ad campaign for beer client Labatt during the Super Bowl. In addition, the firm works with Coca-Cola (Fuze, Vitaminwater, Gold Peak Tea), Seagram's, Nintendo, Pirate's Booty, Remy Cointreau, Schwinn and Sweet'N Low. The details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Representation of Technology Accelerator in Seed Investments

The intellectual property lawyers at Kegler Brown serve as investor-side deal counsel for a Columbus-based technology incubator and accelerator on its ongoing seed investments in IP-heavy start-up companies, including a special focus on IP diligence.

Outside General Counsel to Growth Apparel Company

The lawyers at Kegler Brown serve as outside general counsel for a well known growth-stage apparel company, including substantial advising on day-to-day IP strategy and obtaining clearance on apparel designs that are core to the company’s business model.

Managing Multiple Capital Raises for National Retail Food Brand

Kegler Brown has served as counsel to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, which is consistently recognized as one of the country’s best dessert boutiques, for many years. Early in 2016, as part of our firm’s continuing role as a strategic business partner to the company, our lawyers advised the company’s owners throughout a series of capital infusion transactions, including multiple sales of convertible notes and equity warrants to national private equity investors. These transactions ultimately resulted in the sale of a controlling stake in the company, though financial terms were not disclosed.